The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1887-12-17
Under the MiStIetoe,

Margaret Walner stood before the mir
ror, frown upon her usually calm, I'M
ruflled brow. Yes, there was no denying
it, no shrinking away from the fact there
lay the first real footprint of time, cleaning
white amid the tresses Of nut brown hair.
She felt something clutching at her
heart, a great lump rising in her throat,
and a moment more the tears she slrove
to repress filled her eyes. Margaret was an
old maid. Nine and thirty, yes, forty on
her coming birthday, and 1t was not far off,
She was not a foolish woman and her tears
fell, not because age was creeping on and
the dark braids would whiten soon, but at
sight of the silver streak something within
whispered: Margaret, youth is past; the
Joy, the sorrow, all are gone" Bitter
sweet memories crowded upon her, and she
bowed her head within her hauds and
sobbed.
After moment she summed courage and
plucked the offending thread of silver from
among its fellows. She laid it upon the
white marble of the dresser, and then
across the sleeve of her dark dress.
White, snowy white.
She looked again in the mirror, scanning
her face closely. She was fair and comely
still. Her complexion might have been
that of babe, it was so delicately smooth,
and her eyes were as blue and bright as
eyer. Yet, though she found no Visible
| sign of decay, the woman sighed. Then
she drew from her bosom locket suspend
ed by a tiny gold chain. Touching spring
| faces pictured there. One was girlish
face, winsome and fair-Margaret in her
youth; the other a youth, handsome and
not over twenty. She pressed 1t to her
lips, to her heart, and allowed her tears to
fall unchecked upon it.
What! Margaret, an old maid, and in
loye stillp
"Rosie must not see me in tears she
murmured.
There was the sound of an opening door
the echo of footsteps in the hall, and a
smart patter of footsteps upon the stair
Rosie was comingi
Margaret had only time to thrust hel
treasure again into its hiding place, wher
the door flew open and young girl entered
breathless with excitement. Her hair ha(
been tossed by the winl and fell in waves
over her shoulders. A rich red glow wa
upon her cheek and her eyes were spark
ling. She threw herself upon a chair will
utter abandon and tossed pair of skate
which she had been exercising upon tfor i
was frosty Uutsidel upon the hoor Then
noticing Wargaret'S tear-stained face, sh
sprang toward her and wound her arm
closely about her.
''What is it, auntie? Why are you sad
Tell me what has happened"
at is nothing. dear. l am foolish oil,
maid, and 1t all came of this ugly gra
hair" and Margaret took it from its plac
upon the coushin and held 1t up for inspcc
tion.
"Dreadfulr' cried Rosie, with uplfte,
hands and comic look of sympatheti
horror upon her face. I'VE will look owe
the whole list of hair dyes and prepare our
selves to color each one as il makes its ap
pearance; but guess, do guess, auntie, win
is here"
81 am not good at guessing, you know
and how could | tell which one of you
numerous lovers is again in the field.
"For shame, auntie; you know hav'
but one lover now. It's HaPs father. II
is here at last. ] wonder what he will thinl
of me?' and the girl gently pushing Mar
garet aside, placed herself in front of th
, mirror. "Now, auntie, Pm going to tax
an inventory. Put it down and see how
reads. Height, five feet, figure slight an
trim, ownhair, blue:eyes, broad forehead
fair complexion, pink cheeks, luby lips
Am right, auntie?''
"Quite correct, my love"
"But the nose, auntie, the nose; tina
troubles me; it is the one unruly member
; it will turn up. I've half a mind to tr
Amy's plan and put a clothes-pin OH II
You remember Amy in Little Homen.'
"Yes, yes" said Margaret, laughing
but it's cute nose after all.
''Pm not bad looking at any rate, an
you think have not overestimated ny
self?" with just little tone of doubt /
her voice.
''No, Rosie, the stock is not watered, AN
l think YOU may at least feel assured of il
. being taken at par:'
"You knew Major Cole once, didn't yor
I auntie, years ago, when he was a youn
man?'
"Yes," said Margaret family.
"And wasn't it sad, his wife dying whe
{ Harry was baby?''
But Margaret made no reply to this; ST.
sat still and white, and returned not a wore
As she sat wrapped in thought the pa'
with its buried joys and griefs came up b.
fore her. She saw gallant youth, the Nj
jor, who looked into her eyes with gal
that made her heart beat quickly and
, dim, inde6nable gladness prevade her sou
Then his arm encircled her and in 10
tones he told her he loved her and aske
her to be his wife. With falterIng accent